Planning Your Stay

Planning for Your Stay at Gay Men’s Institute

We’re excited to have you join our thriving community at Gay Men’s Institute! Before you arrive, there are a few things you’ll need to do to make sure you’re ready for treatment.

Before You Go to Gay Men’s Institute

Notify Your Employer

In some cases, federal law recognizes addiction as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act may protect your job and insurance if you’re absent from work to receive addiction treatment. Call our care advocates to learn more about this legislation and find out if it applies to your employment situation.

Tell your employer that you’ll need to take medical leave and how long you will be out of work, but remember that you aren’t required to disclose the reason why. You have a right to privacy regarding medical issues, and employers are required by law to keep your situation confidential.

Arrange Child and/or Pet Care

Talk to your trusted loved ones about their availability to care for your child or children. Your kids will likely want familiar, comforting faces around while you’re in treatment. If your child has any programs, events, or appointments in the upcoming month, be sure to arrange plans for those obligations as well.

If you have pets, you may ask friends and/or loved ones to see if they can care for them temporarily while you are receiving treatment. If not, there are many pet boarding options in every state.

The person or people caring for your dependents should have contact information for our facility so they can stay in touch. And remember: when you help yourself recover, you’re helping your dependents, too!

Pay Bills/Make Financial Arrangements

If you’re anticipating bills to be due while you’re gone, make those payments before your first day at our facility. You can also opt in to choose automatic billing for your rent/mortgage payment, utilities, cell phone, or other monthly bills so you don’t have to worry about late payments during treatment.

You may also consider asking a trustworthy loved one to pay bills for you if you’d rather not have money automatically taken from your accounts. Give this person your online banking information or any other account details they may need to make payments if you decide to go this route.

What to Pack for Your Stay

We recommend patients bring about a week’s worth of comfortable clothing. Gay Men’s Institute has a laundry facility with everything you’ll need to do your wash.

Gay Men’s Institute is a substance-free environment (smoke-free, tobacco-free, alcohol and drug-free – including all forms of cannabis, CBD oil, and edibles)

Important Documents

Miscellaneous

Labeled prescription medication*
Stamps and envelopes to write letters home
Cigarettes and eCigarettes, if you use them and are 21 years or older Mp3 players without WiFi capabilities or cameras
Credit or debit card to make purchases outside the facility
*Labeled prescription medications will be inspected by staff upon arrival and kept at the facility’s nursing station for your access during designated medication times.

Do Not Pack

Gay Men’s Institute is a substance-freeenvironment

Please do not bring any tobacco products, Cigarettes and eCigarettes, Vapes, Juul, or other inhalant devices.

Do not bring any item containing drug or alcohol (including hygiene products and Kombucha, and all forms of cannabis, CBD oil, and edibles)Do not bring Clothing that’s revealing or has drug, alcohol, or sexual themesDo not bring Valuables or large sums of cashDo not bring Chewing gumDo not bring Electronic items with WiFi capabilityDo not bring Cameras (including devices with built-in cameras)

Traveling to Gay Men’s Institute

We want you to be as relaxed as possible when you arrive at Gay Men’s Institute to begin your course of care. So if you need help getting to the facility, we’re happy to assist with your travel arrangements.

Visit our Finding Us page to learn more about how to travel for treatment.

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